PAW Print #9

Monday, October 14: 2 hour early dismissal (Conference day)

Friday, October 18: 2 hour early dismissal (Professional Day for Teachers)

Saturday: October 19: NJHS Hogwart's Fund Raiser (see below)

Friday, October 25: Picture Make Up Day (see info below)

Friday, October 25: MTSS Track or Treat Event 5-7PM

October 28-November 1: Book Fair (during school day)

October 30: Book Fair Parent Night (5:30-7:30PM)

Effective communication is critical to the success of St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS). This will be crucial not only for emergencies but for our ability to communicate with families in general. Online Emergency Information Update Forms are now available through the student’s Home Access Center (HAC). Once logged in, directions to access the online form can be found HERE. A video with instructions is available HERE. It is vital that all information is updated in eSchool. The deadline for the online submission of Emergency Information Update forms is October 31st, 2024. Please click here for the Blank Emergency Form. If you have any questions, please contact The Department of Student Services at 301-475-5511 ext.32150.

Digital Citizenship Week

UPDATED DEADLINE - THURSDAY 10/24 - If you have difficulties uploading your video to the audition form, please email Ms. Meador the video (remeador@smcps.org). Thank you!

The school counselor's will be delivering the SOS lessons this month. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child's counselor. The link below will take you to the parent/guardian resources. Once there, click on Preparation Resources

https://sossignsofsuicide.org/program/sos-middle-school-program/prepare/

Pacer.org/UnityDay

Recursos Acerca de Bullying

Make-up Picture Day will be on Friday, October 25th, 2024. The only students who will be permitted to participate on this day are:

• Students who were absent on September 17th (the original picture day).
• At this point in time, if your student was absent, their name is on the schedule for October 25th to be photographed, so you do not need to reach out to anyone at the school. Hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.
• Students who ordered pictures and would like to retake them.
• The Google Form to request picture retakes is closed as of Friday, October 4th. (Reminders were sent out in previous SMORES and by ELA teachers.)
• Parents/guardians that requested a retake received an email with directions about next steps. Please remember that hats and hoods should not be worn in photos.

Please note:

• You can still order photos of your student by visiting legacystudios.com and entering your online code. If you need help finding your code, please click here.
• If this step doesn't work, you can also visit legacystudios.com and click the virtual assistant in the bottom right-hand corner (speech bubble in a blue box). You will then type the following message (you will need to adjust the message with the required information): "My son/daughter had their pictures taken at Margaret Brent Middle School. Their student ID is __________ and their last name is __________. I am requesting their online code to view their gallery." The virtual assistant will then generate an online code that is specific to your student's gallery pictures.

Our original point of contact, Mrs. James, is out on maternity leave. If you have questions, please reach out to either Ms. Shelko (jlshelko@smcps.org) or Ms. Holcomb (sdholcomb@smcps.org).

Here's How It Works

• On Friday, the next week's word will be previewed without a definition. Students are invited to submit sentences that use the word properly. Use the Google Form to do this.
• Monday-Thursday, the week's word will be read on the morning announcement. The part of speech and definition will be given. Each day of the week a different student sentence will be read as an example of the word in context.
• Administrators will give PAWS tickets to students whose sentences are used on the morning announcements.
• Staff members will give PAWS tickets to students who use the word correctly throughout the course of the week.

This week's word is livid.

It’s Scholastic Book Fair Time!

Book Fair Homepage

Volunteers are needed!!!

General Information:

Dates: October 24 through November 1.

Times: 8:00 - 2:30 Monday - Friday

Place: MBMS Media Center

Parent Night:

Wednesday, October 30, 5:30 - 7:30pm

Come to the Fair and Choose Books You Love!

Shop with Book Fair eWallet for cash-free purchases.

Get a Sneak Peek! s-bf.com/ms1

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will host FREE drive-thru flu vaccine clinics for children ages six months to 18 years. No appointments are necessary.

Clinics have been scheduled for the following dates and locations:

St. Mary’s County Health Hub

• Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

SMCHD Main Office in Leonardtown

• Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

“Annual flu vaccinations are the most effective tool we have for preventing infection and serious illness from seasonal influenza,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We hope parents will take advantage of these convenient drive-thru clinics to get their children vaccinated and help us prevent influenza complications in our community. Local pharmacies and medical practices are also offering flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.”

For more information about seasonal flu, please visit smchd.org/flu.

For questions about vaccinations, please call SMCHD at 301-475-4330.

Buy Your Yearbook Here

Have a question? Email: tldollen@smcps.org or ammckinley@smcps.org

The cell phone policy for all SMCPS middle schools requires students' phones to be turned off and put away throughout the school day. This policy has been in effect at MBMS for many years and is not new to our students. Please note that students should not be texting or calling parents from the restroom to picked up when they are feeling ill. Students should report to the nurse, administration, or counselor to call home. We will not deny a student requesting to call a parent/guardian. We want to thank our community for continuing to support our efforts in minimizing distractions for our students.

Superintendent's Message

PTSO members are parents, teachers and students who are dedicated to promoting the education and welfare of our children. We highly encourage everyone to join our PTSO to show their support. As a member you are welcome to attend all meetings & functions; however, your membership does not require you to participate in these functions. The membership fee is $10. If interested in joining, you may email us at mbmspanthersptso@gmail.com!

Make sure you follow us on Facebook (Margaret Brent Middle School PTSO) to stay up to date on fundraisers and other events.

Events to look forward to this school year:

PTSO General Meetings (all meetings are at 2:45pm in the Media Center)

- Wednesday, November 20

- Wednesday, February 19

- Wednesday, May 14

Dances

- 6th Grade (November 15)

- 7th Grade (January 10)

- 8th Grade (May 16 - date subject to change)

Dodgeball Tournament

- Thursday, March 13 at Chopticon High School

Spirit Nights

- Thursday, 10/24 - Texas Roadhouse - 4-8pm

- Saturday, 2/8/2025- Calvert Kettle Corn - All Day

Ongoing Fundraisers:

- Croc Charms & Magnets

- First come, First serve – limited quantity available. Orders will be delivered to students during homeroom as orders are placed. Order Forms attached.